H Barton Triefler

H. Barton “Bart” Triefler, Bart Triefler passed away peacefully at 92, surrounded by loving family. Bart is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Jacqueline, his daughters Jennifer Parris (Kyle) and Natalie Blais (Dave), and his cherished grandchildren Sofie and Eli. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Born July 25, 1933 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Bart adored his parents, Nathan and Minnie Triefler, and grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood alongside his older brothers, Herbert and Daniel, who have preceded him in death. As a boy, he loved attending Brooklyn Dodgers games, idolizing Jackie Robinson. While Brooklyn always held his heart, he never forgave “Dem Bums” for leaving for Los Angeles and later became a devoted New York Yankees fan. Bart graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and attended Brooklyn College, where he majored in history. A lifelong lover of learning, he was an avid reader of history and autobiographies and a devoted New York Times reader. Even while traveling, he insisted on finding the paper—often sending his daughters to multiple gas stations and convenience stores until one was found. Bart proudly served his country in the United States Army as a company clerk in post–World War II Europe during the Korean War, from 1953 to 1955. His greatest joys in life were his children and grandchildren, followed by his love of baseball, the Yankees and his tennis game. An avid tennis player, Bart played nearly every day until the age of 90, proudly boasting that he still competed in singles matches against much younger players. He also served as a baseball umpire and a USTA tennis official, officiating games and matches from youth through the collegiate level, and competed in the Senior Olympics in Cleveland with many of his family members cheering him on from the stands. Bart built a successful career selling plumbing supplies and was the owner of Rigid Plumbing in Brooklyn, a business founded by his father. Known for his big personality, quick wit, and occasional inappropriate joke, Bart was stubborn but deeply loyal and always reliable —if he said he would be somewhere or do something, he never let you down. Bart taught his daughters to love sports, both watching and playing, including skiing—his instruction, after a light push, was famously simple: “Just ski as fast as you can down the hill and knock your mom over at the bottom.” Family ski trips took them across the world, including many trips to Colorado. Bart met Jacqueline at Fox Hill, a dude ranch in Upstate New York, where he pursued his love of horseback riding. After a two year courtship, Bart proposed at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse, where he was one of their first ten credit card holders. Together, they built a life filled with travel, parties, laughter, and deep family bonds. Later in life, Bart and Jacqueline moved from Secaucus, New Jersey, to Milwaukee to be close to their daughter Natalie and granddaughter. Bart treasured time spent with his granddaughter, including attending Shabbat Sing every Friday at the JCC. Wherever he was, Bart was always the life of the party, especially at family reunions, where stories, laughter, and inside jokes like meeting at the “hostility room” lasted for decades. One of Bart’s greatest honors was participating in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his daughter Jennifer. He was also deeply proud to witness her commissioning as an officer in the United States Air Force, continuing a family legacy of service. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Bart with compassion and dignity, including his caretaker Ally Lee, Latrice and the VA Home Helpers, Aurora Zilber Family Hospice, and the staff at Aurora in Grafton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bart’s memory to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Milwaukee or Aurora Zilber Family Hospice. Though Bart made Milwaukee his home, his heart never left New York. He will return there for his final resting place. A private funeral service for family and close friends will be held at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York this Thursday. A memorial service and gathering of friends will be planned in Milwaukee at a later date.

H Barton Triefler

July 25, 1933 - January 8, 2026